Food, Fashion and Fabulous Outings

May 11, 2017

Inclusive AI: Technology & Policy For A Diverse Urban Future

The school year is winding down and while students were cramming for exams, I was across campus learning about the automation anxiety created by the more pervasive integration of AI into our everyday lives. Lots of great speakers, including Haas's own Laura Tyson, doing deep dives into the practical, cultural and policy implications.

"Can we shape the outcomes?" was a persistent question. The consensus was that we don't know how many jobs will be destroyed and replaced or even just disrupted. The speaker urged folks to think back to how secretarial pools disappeared over time after the widespread adoption of Microsoft Word.

"What can a public university like UC Berkeley do?" was another questions. My favorite answers: Be rational cheerleaders and push for the right policies to support the environment. We have opportunity to push for policies to amplify benefits vs. reduce opportunities

One of the most interesting factoids I learned is that 30% of activities in 60% of jobs will be automated, so we need to rethink how we work with machines, as it may or may not have wage implications. A much more nuanced approach is needed, since benefits may or may not be distributed equally across society.

Overall, everyone agreed that there is a real opportunity, because we have a technology before it’s path dependent, and can therefore channel both policy and usage in a positive direction.